Personal Statement for Law School
One of the important things about me is my Hispanic background, with my experience of living in more than one Latin Americans country. Having been born in Cuba but raised in Mexico, I came to the U.S.A. with a clear understanding of what I want to achieve in my life and an intention of sparing no effort to accomplish my goal.
One of the toughest challenges I have ever had to meet was adapting to the US system and lifestyle. However, I am convinced that my experience, potential and perseverance will be enough to accomplish what I have set as my goal. My goal of becoming a lawyer is seen as a series of steps and tasks I need to complete successfully. Coming across a quote from Walter Elliot, a British politician of the 20th century, I realized that his idea of perseverance would be helpful for me.
He claimed that “perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” This is how I see my life and my pursuit of the career and this is the attitude that helps me to cope with difficulties at any stage of my progress. My intention to pursue a career that would make a difference to people’s lives emerged when I lived in Mexico and has been growing stronger ever since. I realized that studying in the Law School and becoming a professional in the sphere of justice is the best choice for my career in the future.
When I lived in Mexico, I saw how people could be helpless if they failed, for different reasons, to find justice when they needed it. At that time, I managed to help more than 10 indigenous (Huichol) communities to speak and write in Spanish. That was the first step; next, I found out that people living in poor and isolated communities did not even have a passport or any other ID. Therefore, I used to take them to the “Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores” where they received their papers and documents and helped them with the legal procedures. It was at that time that I realized how important lawyer’s work in its different formats could be for people and communities.
Taking part in volunteer work for these disadvantaged people is something that I will always remember with a warm feeling. Living, studying and working in the U.S.A. is a different experience; here, I have been making new steps in developing my career. I got a job of a Legal Assistant with a law firm 6 months after I came to live in the U.S.A. After that, I received a position of a Paralegal at a prestigious Maritime Law Firm in Miami. I had opportunities to meet with recognized Attorneys, draft and file my own Court Pleadings and go to Hearings. This was precious hands-on experience in law, which made me even more convinced about the right choice of the profession. …
